The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-25

IllCk II Dctlulllul StllSkln SlttlUt. IL ut-
longs to somebody else, but we will be
here long before she will get it. Now,
wrap up warm-don't be afraid" and
taking Estcllc in his arms he went to the
fireplace. Up the chimncyth hey tlew-Out
on the ROOF and there stood the sleigh and
reindeer OF Kris Kingle.
lie placed Estelle snugly in the seat
and, after tucking the heavy robe about
her in warm, graceful folds, jumped in
himself. Gee upl" he cried, and with
n merry jingle and clattcr away they went.
1t had stopped showing; the moon was
in the sky, millions of twinkling stars
shone upon them, and their silvery light
transformed the snowy crystals into in
Vulnerable sparkling gems.
o, it was delightful! Now they de-
seconded in the valleys Of low caves; now
thCy clambcrcd the sleeps OF the precipi-
tOus roofs, and then with q crack of his
long whip q 'tinklc, tinklo' of the merry
bells over the peak OF the cathedral spirc
they went. The wind came bowling after.
1t caught Mt her hair; IL shrieked and
moancd all about her; hut the reindeer
were Il fleet, and Estellc only laughed.
How could she help it when that jolly
little fellow filled the air with his ha. Ia!
ha! and no. ho! At last Kris Kinglc Ill
rcc,ed the sleigh toward n dilapidatcd
looking building; il stretched its dismal
length skyward eleven stories, and like
grim scntinels OF u dungeon. keep five grim
chimneys stood in a row..
There was no light in any OF the win
dows, save here and there a struggling
CLEAN, and from the climnoys ne smoke
escaped. "Whoa.' cries Kris kingle,
and obcdicn,ly the reindeer checked their
speed and anne TO a standstill upon the
roof.
Come" ho said to Eslcllc, edo not he
afraid; You will meet with no harm, Shut
your eyes ii you like" and taking the lit
lie girl in his arms, who nestled TO him
with tightly closed eyes, he leapcd from
the sleigh, clambercd To the chimney top,
and Ia! in q moment they had disappeared
in its dark depths. Now, dear" said
Kris Kinglo, ''you may open your eyes"
At first she could see nothing. There
was no light, no fire, all was cold aud
cherries; but presently, ~ her eyes be-
came accustomed TO the gloom, she bchcld
"A budding heap in one corner OF u miscr-
able room, and next she disccncd that il
was three little children lying upon q
wrctched mattress stretched on the floor,
ciinging together for the warmth Of con.
tact.
"O!" said Estclle. sorrowiully, chow
cold they are poor little dcarsl'
Hush whispered Kris Kinglc, for a'
that moment one OF the children spoke:
SISTER. Is 90 told?"
"Ycs, very cold" cam the answer in
pitiiul, shiycring accents.
81 wonder where papa H." pipcd q faint
little voice from n s%huddcring form lying
between the Two sisters, IAN II lac vii
! tum home drunk adcn?'
p There was no answer, save n sob, which
= seemed 20 come from both OF the Older
children, and two big tears dimmed Is
tcllc's blue eyes.
SISTER again said the little one, "ls,
! dom to ask bod 10 hWing papa home
, tausc lsr 80 told" aud here u III OF cough.
, ing interrupted the sweet, trembling voice
, Hut the child, in a trcmulous tone, con
r tinued, 80, bod, please send papa HON,
tonight don't let him Diet drunk adcn
r an icll him 10 bwing some fire tausc We
{ 80 told. q. 80 told" There was a SCUM,
= Of q stincd sob Il came from neither th,
children. Kris Kinglc or Estellc, but irou
the landing where, half hid in the dccl
I shadow, stood q burly man weeping, ht
{ powerful frame shaken with emotion. III
I listened with his ear close to the door, q
. over the broken transom came the pitiil
| nice ui the child And, bod, please tel
Kris kinglo to dive M -omc tWismus dit
u wants n hobby horse an tory book
q an dive Molly q new dolly VIII dwesscs
a am hat an shoes, and bod dive Mary
/ ioily. too. VIII we'd hair and blue eyes
- and dive us al sonc fire 20 We tan III
: wam-an an'-doOd night Dol" ans
= then, overcome by shiycring, the little on
~ snugglCd closely between his weeping sis
j. tens.
. The door opened slowly. The man en-
tered and approached the poor children
nov sleeping the itiul sleep Of the hungr
=. aud exhausted. lie knplt beside them
s Alas, they had but little over item {
% shelter from cold; anl all that was pitiir
n seemed to dwell in their pinchcd faces i
mute appeal. The tear had scarcely drie
a upon their checks; but ~ he gazcd upoI
j ticm. the child sleeping between his ~
n t.rs smiled, q! ~ sUiroWiully, In hi
Is dreams. and his lips appeared To plea
e. that dainty plea, Dol brrss papa" u
RAISED his hands In the air. PLEASE God,
:, hc said solcmnly, "irom this night iorwar
will never touch another drop Of liquol
Cod help me 10 keep my word And ,
I. Il seemed a. Eslcllc that two little teal
II hrpus came 30 her eyes, and through thcl
L. s1ruWiul prism she hghcld q sudden glory
+. Then, wa q sound II heavenly music, an
Il down from the starry sky into the chCcI
Il less room. on steps 81 light, fitted innuu
.c cradle angels. and before q holy prcsonc
y; iu dim distance knclt q pcnitCnt soul
fnriyiug hand Is laid upon Il In aboncli,
II ton while on every side the thrilliu
l. music ui heaven sounded q pran 4,
h triumph.
The pcnitcnt looked mp co. erie
y- E-icllo ~ Kris kinglc, 1t Is the children
VI father then ~ suddenly ~ II came I'll
ioauiiinl vision disappeared. and as the
e. looked toward the bed The man aros"
n new light iva his face, and be- said, ~ !
o. buttoncd up his coat closely about hin
"Dyat little ones, you shall have 20,
10 Christmas hohby-hof-', dullic-, iirc a1
II ull. ~ and snhhing he lct the I"
~ Kris Kinglp.' said the little girl, "lct u
III give them something and riing toNai
VI the bed she placed, with all thc rrign
tiuu uf a snruVful parting iu her sWD
be- ficc. 'hc little doll that Kris kinglc ha
Il. given her on the mattress beside u
ti sleeping children. Then slr returned
Kris kiuglc, Who placed his hands gent
Il ON her golden curb, and smiled ~ bright
he that her eyes bplwcd with rcspOnsi'
vhnpfiulncss.
e.. Come" said Kris Kinglc, I'VE has
4. other places a. 60" and taking Es'cllc
m The hand be- led her through the hall uu
at gently pushing asi1"-th opposite dO0
they entered q dismal looking rUum. The
Was uo light save that oi the mOou, viii,
u- sifcd dpiily through the gHmy Windo
u, rla-s NO iiur all was cold aud chcvrlo'
aud over In the rrmutcsI corner, on u mI
-. ..UHNN. NaMN lac u HanaF 40f.HIINNful MsHUNW